Tag Archives: acute coronary syndrome

Undertanding Unstable Angina

Heart - Apr 07,2002 - No Comment

Grandma almost died – SEVEN times!

The attacks came with no warning. At any time of the day or night, it would hit her with uncaring abandon, leaving the hearty, cheerful old lady bent over and crippled with pain. Her face ashen and sweaty. The breath rattling wheezily through her chest.

In agony, she’d gasp for water – and her pills. I would rush to the fridge to fetch her brown colored bottle. A few moments after she placed the tiny white tablet under her tongue, she’d find blessed relief.

The uncertainty about when the next attack would come had us all on tenterhooks. We all knew she might die from one of them. That was nerve wracking.

It wasn’t until many years later that I learned about unstable angina, what causes it, and how to treat it.

Heart Attack – All That You Need To Know About It

Heart - Mar 07,2002 - No Comment

My cellphone rang at 2 a.m.

That’s always a bad thing. Usually, it meant a medical emergency.

My uncle was on the line. “Your aunt’s having some chest discomfort for around ten minutes.” I snapped fully awake at the words, suspecting a heart attack. “It’s getting worse. Not really chest pain, but…”

I interrupted. “Take her to ______ hospital right away,” I said, naming a specialty hospital nearby where there would be facilities to investigate her for an acute coronary syndrome and treat it.

For reasons best known to him, uncle chose another smaller hospital nearer home. It was a decision that almost cost her life!

An inexperienced junior doctor, who also played “cardiologist on call”, mismanaged her case. The episode of unstable angina, which might have been reversed with prompt treatment, evolved into a full-blown heart attack.

Treatment was lengthy and expensive. Aunt survived with little damage to her heart. She was lucky. Many are not. That’s why it is important to learn all about a heart attack and understand what to do if you notice signs of heart attack.

Signs of Heart Attack

Heart - Jan 07,2002 - No Comment

If You Know The Signs of Heart Attack, You Can Save Lives

My sister saved my father’s life when he had a heart attack!

They were at a day-long symposium, when during the lunch break, dad suddenly complained of discomfort and had a sudden urge to use the toilet. When he returned a few minutes later, he was sweating profusely.

He didn’t complain of chest pain, but my sister knew the signs of heart attack, and was aware that diabetics can have an acute coronary syndrome without any pain.

What she did next saved his life. Without wasting a minute, she rushed him to hospital. Only on the short drive there did she call to let others in the family know.

The result was that, within 15 minutes of the onset of symptoms, my father was safely inside the emergency room of a specialty hospital, being examined by a cardiologist who diagnosed a heart attack.

Treatment was initiated instantly and a massive myocardial infarction which could have killed him only left him with some heart failure and a couple of weeks in hospital.

He lived for ten more years.

Why You Should Know Signs of Heart Attack

Every year, in the United States alone, 1.2 million people will have a heart attack. Many of them die, often within the first hour, before they even reach hospital. If you know signs of heart attack and can recognize an episode quickly, you can help prevent death.